Eight teams competed in the Women’s cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games, held at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. India claimed gold by defeating Sri Lanka in the final by 147 runs on September 22, 2026, while Pakistan won bronze against Bangladesh by 31 runs on the same day.

Several batters stood out across the tournament with consistent and high-impact performances. Here is a look at the three leading run-scorers from the Women’s Asian Games 2026.

Top 3 run-getters in Women’s Asian Games 2026

3. Smriti Mandhana (India)

Smriti Mandhana was the third-highest run-scorer in the Women’s Asian Games 2026. She did not bat in the quarter-final against Japan, with her runs coming across the remaining matches of the tournament.

Mandhana’s contributions were vital in supporting India’s campaign alongside Shafali at the top of the order. Her performances helped India progress through the knockout stages and ultimately claim the gold medal at Korogi Sports Park. In two innings, she scored 116 runs at a strike rate of 181.25. Her knock of 79 off 45 balls in the final against Sri Lanka showcased her batting prowess when the stakes are at their highest.

2. Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

Chamari Athapaththu was the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, accumulating 175 runs across three innings. She struck at 162.04, providing Sri Lanka with a reliable top-order presence throughout.

Athapaththu began with 63 off 37 balls against Malaysia in the group stage. She then scored 83 not out off 50 balls against Pakistan in the semi-final, which was the highest score by a woman in the competition’s history before Shafali’s century later that day. In the final against India, Athapaththu scored 29 off 21 balls, finishing as Sri Lanka’s top scorer in that match.

1. Shafali Verma (India)

Shafali Verma was the standout batter of the tournament, finishing with 188 runs across three innings. She struck at 202.15, underlining her aggressive approach throughout the competition.

Against Japan in the quarter-final, Shafali scored 40 not out off 15 balls. She then produced a historic knock in the semi-final against Bangladesh, scoring 100 not out off 49 balls, hitting three fours and nine sixes at a strike rate of 204.08. That century made her the first woman to score a hundred in the Asian Games and was also her maiden T20I century. Her nine sixes in that innings were the most by an India batter in a women’s T20I innings, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s eight against New Zealand in the 2018 T20 World Cup. In the final against Sri Lanka, Shafali contributed 48 off 29 balls. She also became the woman with the most sixes in a calendar year in 2026, hitting 35 in total.

Ajit Agarkar’s time as Chairman of India’s Senior Men’s Selection Committee appears to be drawing to a close. Appointed on July 4, 2023, he replaced Chetan Sharma and went on to pick squads for three major ICC events, including the ODI World Cup 2023, the T20 World Cup 2024, and the T20 World Cup 2026.

Reports suggest that a one-year extension for Agarkar is unlikely, with neither the chief selector nor BCCI officials moving forward with it. The September 16 selection meeting, where squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against the West Indies were announced, may have been his last. The BCCI’s Annual General Meeting is expected to decide the matter, after which office-bearers have been given authority to finalise the new appointment.

Here are 3 replacement options for Ajit Agarkar as India’s chief selector

3. Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the top selection role. He is already a sitting member of the five-man committee headed by Agarkar, alongside Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and R.P. Singh. His familiarity with the current system and his working knowledge of the panel’s processes make him what many observers describe as the most straightforward option available to the BCCI.

Ojha represented India in 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 6 T20Is, claiming 113 wickets in Test cricket alone. His active presence on the existing selection panel means he already understands the demands of the role. He is also reported to have strong connections within the BCCI, which could smooth any transition if he were elevated to the chairman’s position.

2. VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman‘s name has been circulating in cricketing circles as a possible option to lead the selection committee. He currently heads the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and has stepped in to coach the India team on a stand-in basis on more than one occasion. However, sources note that he has not actively sought out larger administrative positions within the BCCI.

Whoever takes charge will inherit a selection panel that has already drawn scrutiny. The committee faced criticism for removing 2026 T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav from his captaincy and squad, and for leaving out Sanju Samson, the 2026 T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, from the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The incoming chief selector will also have the significant responsibility of building India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

1. Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel has been a prominent name in discussions around the chief selector role for some time. Reports from india dot com dated September 18 indicate he is set to take over as the West Zone selector and may also be considered for the chairman’s post. His background spans both playing and franchise cricket roles, having served as assistant coach of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.

Parthiv played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for India, accumulating 1,706 runs across formats along with 93 catches and 18 stumpings. His exposure to franchise environments and talent identification at the highest domestic level adds a different dimension to his profile compared to the other candidates being considered.

The Duleep Trophy 2026 got underway on August 23, 2026, with two quarter-finals being held simultaneously at two grounds inside the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. East Zone are battling it out against North East Zone on Ground 2, while North Zone and West Zone squaring off on Ground 1.

Several batters have used the early round to press their case for a place in India’s Test setup. Three players in particular have caught the eye with their performances across the two quarter-finals.

3 batters who can break into the Indian Test team after Duleep Trophy 2026

3. Shahbaz Ahmed

Shahbaz Ahmed is a batting all-rounder from Bengal who represents East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy. Coming in against North East Zone in the first quarter-final, he produced an outstanding all-round display that is difficult to overlook at the national selection level.

In the same match, Shahbaz scored 167 off 244 balls before picking up three wickets with his left-arm spin. That kind of contribution with both bat and ball makes him a compelling candidate for the Indian Test side, where all-round depth is always valued. People who have seen Shahbaz playing in the Indian Premier League would know that he is also a top-notch fielder.

2. Ayush Badoni

Ayush Badoni is North Zone’s vice-captain in the 2026 Duleep Trophy and represents Delhi. He is a batter who also bowls off-spin, giving him a dual role that adds to his appeal as a Test prospect. The 26-year-old likes to keep the scoreboard ticking and is ideal for how the red-ball format is being played at this moment.

In North Zone’s first innings against West Zone, Badoni struck 51 off 57 balls, batting with utmost ease. At the close of Day 2, he was unbeaten on 39 off 49 balls. North Zone had slipped to 190 for 7 at that stage, and Badoni’s contributions on both occasions stood out amid a middle-order collapse. His off-spin provides a useful additional option for any side he represents.

1. Sudip Kumar Gharami

Sudip Kumar Gharami is a 27-year-old Bengal batter who plays for East Zone. He walked in against North East Zone with his side in early trouble at 25/2 and responded with a composed and attacking innings.

Also Read: 3 reasons why Rishabh Pant needs to score consistently in Tests

Gharami scored 146 off 185 balls, hitting 25 fours and one six at a strike rate of 78.92. With Devdutt Padikkal having scored two centuries in Sri Lanka and appearing to have secured the No. 3 spot in India’s Test order, Gharami could serve as a capable backup for that position. The right-handed batter is technically very solid and is equally good against spin and pace. He is capable of scoring quickly but can also play the waiting game if the conditions are in favour of the bowlers.